When asked by The Post about the texts, Elliott feigned ignorance, even though they had received enormous national publicity.

Ezekiel ElliottGetty Images

“Honestly, I have no idea what you are talking about,” Elliott told The Post. “I haven’t seen those. I’m actually talking about football. I’m sorry.”

Circumstantial evidence may be sufficient to land Elliott in the NFL’s substance abuse program. A failed drug test is not required for a player — in the opinion of independent medical advisers jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA — to enter the intervention Stage 1 of the program.

“Well, I think that, in and of itself, the reason we are talking about it is in a way part of the learning process,” Jones said. “But it’s not good. It’s just not good. It’s just not good.”

Self-awareness doesn’t appear to be Elliott’s strong suit, either, as he tried to spin himself as a victim in all of the messes.

“I’m a target — that’s what I’ve realized from all of this,” Elliott said this week in advance of his NFL debut Sunday against the Giants at AT&T Stadium. “I’ve got to conduct myself that way so I can not have any distractions and I can just focus on [football].”

The Cowboys, who have refused comment about the texts, certainly stand to benefit if Elliott can keep that focus on football.

Although Alabama workhorse Derrick Henry won the Heisman Trophy, Elliott was considered the best back available in the draft and was scooped up by Jones despite lucrative offers to trade down for more picks.

A ferocious blend of size (6 feet, 225 pounds), speed and brawn, the chiseled Elliott introduced himself to the NFL in a preseason game last month when he bulldozed Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor — arguably the league’s hardest-hitting defender.

“With Ezekiel, as with all our players, we’re just focused on getting ready for the Giants,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “That’s where his focus is, and that’s where our focus is. I know his commitment has been really, really good. He’s learned quickly what we’re asking him to do, and he’s taking advantage of his opportunities.”